Click on image for a better view:

ARMY MEDICAL MUSEUM Image of Soldier who froze his foot off in Dakota Territory!"Photograph No. 347- Surgical Section- Successful Amputation of the Right Foot for Frost Bite."

Photo shows "Private James McGuirk, Co. F, 20th Infantry, aged 21, had both feet badly frost bitten, the right one very badly, on December 6th, 7th, 8th and 9th, 1871, while en route with a detachment from Fort Wadsworth to Fort Ransom, Dakota Territory.."

The label goes on to mention the surgical procedures performed on McGuirk, which makes interesting but gruesome reading!

Image and mount measure 11" x 14", the scan does not do it justice. Minor corner chip in lower right corner, the mount has some minor "waves" that appear much worse in the photo than they are in person. Soldiers suffered greatly while on duty in the Western Plains and this image shows what can happen to an ill-equipped one during winter!